After reconnaissance surveys supported by the Save Our Seas Foundation, intervention sites were identified in three coastal municipalities in Benin: POPAC in Cotonou, Ahouandji in Ouidah, and Agoué in Grand-Popo. The project team, assisted by trained enumerators, conducted surveys with 300 respondents, including fishermen and fishmongers, to assess knowledge of the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, awareness of its conservation status, historical catch trends, and trade networks. The data helped map the local context and informed future conservation strategies.
The surveys revealed that only 3% of respondents did not recognize the species, while approximately 71% were aware that the Scalloped Hammerhead Shark is threatened. Fisherfolk attributed this awareness to the noticeable decline in shark abundance over the years. Key threats identified included habitat destruction, overfishing, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. While targeted fishing was common in the past, today the species is mostly caught accidentally due to its rarity, with fishers often needing to travel far beyond usual artisanal fishing areas to encounter one. This scarcity contrasts sharply with catches from one or two decades ago, signaling a serious decline in local populations. Fishermen emphasized the need for research to determine current population sizes and migration patterns.
Accidentally caught sharks face a high risk of mortality, prompting fishers to request training on safe release practices to improve survival rates. In response, practical sessions were conducted, including demonstrations by experts like Dr. Rodrigue Pelebe, to teach proper handling and release techniques that can help conserve live individuals. These trainings aimed to build capacity among local communities for responsible fishing practices.
Socio-economic research highlighted that fins and meat are the most exploited parts of the shark, with fins often sent to neighboring countries and meat consumed locally, either fresh or processed through smoking or drying for market sale. Insights from the surveys informed visual materials and awareness campaigns at project sites, emphasizing sustainable use, the ecological importance of sharks, and the connections between sharks and other commercially important marine species.
Overall, these initiatives strengthened community stewardship of marine resources. Fisherfolk expressed strong interest in continued awareness-raising and collaboration with ECO-NATURE, signaling a commitment to long-term conservation efforts that protect threatened shark species in Benin.
